“Don’t you have any pride, Grand Duchess? Diana Lawrence, of all people! Everyone in the capital knows how much she used to chase after our brother—I mean, the Grand Duke!”
The princess’s shrill voice pierced the air, and I felt as though my eardrums were about to burst. Forcing a smile, I replied carefully.
“But, Your Highness, weren’t they childhood friends? And, if we’re being honest, it wasn’t so much that she chased after him as…”
As Ian treated Diana like dirt.
Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud and swallowed the words instead.
However, just the mention of “childhood friends” seemed to hit a nerve, as the princess’s eyes narrowed even further. At this rate, they might turn into star shapes.
“Are you taking her side in front of me? Whose side are you even on, Grand Duchess?”
At last, her reference to Diana Lawrence downgraded to simply “her.”
Is this really something to split sides over?
At a loss for words, I stared at her.
“Anyway, I won’t do it! No way! I’d rather walk into the crown prince’s inauguration barefoot than wear her shoes!”
The princess all but collapsed onto the sofa, screaming her lungs out.
Didn’t she say she’d been studying politics and theories of rulership in preparation for the crown prince’s inauguration recently…?
Watching this scene, I couldn’t help but feel that theory was just theory after all. Not that I would ever voice that thought out loud, lest I be accused of blasphemy.
As the princess flailed her legs in the air, she suddenly gritted her teeth and sat up straight.
“Anyway, even if it’s because of your wish-granting token, this is absolutely out of the question. I’m canceling it.”
“But, Your Highness, you promised back then, didn’t you? You said you’d grant me any wish, no matter what it was.”
“That’s because I didn’t know you’d bring up Diana Lawrence!”
The princess practically screamed in frustration.
Which was exactly why I had gotten her to agree to fulfill my wish unconditionally, without asking for the reason.
Normally, a noble or royal would honor their word because their reputation was on the line. But, in my lapse of judgment, I had forgotten that the princess did not fall into the category of “normal.”
“Um, Your Highness. Why don’t you at least hear me out first…”
“Nope, not listening! I can’t hear you! La la la!”
She went so far as to plug her ears with her fingers.
Her antics left me dumbfounded.
Of course, the original story mentioned that the princess had initially disliked Diana and picked fights with her at every opportunity, but it had never described her behavior as being this extreme.
Why does she dislike Diana so much?
I watched her with a serious expression and cautiously asked once her tantrum had subsided a bit.
“Your Highness.”
“What?!”
“If you don’t mind me asking… why do you dislike Lady Lawrence so much?”
At that moment, the princess froze mid-kick, her tantrum coming to an abrupt halt. She stared at me, her expression a mixture of disbelief and astonishment.
Her eyes seemed to ask, Do you really not know?
When I responded with silent affirmation, she sighed dramatically and pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Ah, honestly… You’re so naïve, Grand Duchess.”
“N-Naïve?”
“Yes. If the Grand Duke were still single or if he had no relationship with you, I wouldn’t dislike her this much. But!”
But?
“Diana Lawrence is your rival!”
“R…rival?”
“Yes!”
The kind of rival I’m thinking of?
“You’re far too clueless. You have no idea how bold people can get when it comes to pursuing their love! How do you expect to survive in this harsh world with such a timid attitude?”
Timid? Harsh world?
Am I seriously getting relationship advice from a 15-year-old princess right now?
As ridiculous as it sounded, the princess looked utterly serious.
“Anyway, it’s absolutely out of the question. What if Diana Lawrence uses this opportunity to get close to you or the Grand Duke? I refuse!”
So, from the sound of it, the reason the princess disliked Diana this much was…
Eighty percent because of me.
Realizing this, I felt faint and pressed a hand to my forehead.
“Well, Your Highness, if that’s what you’re worried about, you don’t need to be.”
“What do you mean, I don’t need to be?!”
Before she could start scolding me again, I quickly cut her off.
“Lady Diana Lawrence is a self-declared single-by-choice.”
“What? So you’re saying you’re too naïve… Wait, what?”
“She said she no longer has any feelings for Ian. In fact, she said she supports my relationship with the Grand Duke.”
At my words, the princess tilted her head as if she had misheard, then widened her eyes in surprise. Thanks to her bewilderment, silence finally descended upon the reception room.
This was my chance.
“Lady Lawrence spent three whole years at the academy. It seems her perspective has changed quite a bit during that time. People’s feelings can change quickly, after all.”
“But! How can we trust that?”
The princess raised her voice again in protest. However, her gaze flickered uneasily, betraying her inner turmoil. Sensing her hesitation, I put on a sorrowful expression and pretended to tear up.
“Surely, Your Highness, you don’t doubt the bond between the Grand Duke and me? That would be so disheartening…”
“Huh? Oh, no, no! That’s not what I meant!”
“Then, since Lady Diana Lawrence no longer harbors feelings for the Grand Duke and our relationship is solid, there’s no need for Your Highness to object, is there?”
“Well, I… um…”
“And, by the way, Lady Diana Lawrence is remarkably talented.”
As the princess started to waver, I seized the opportunity and grabbed the box I had placed beside me.
“Just take a look at this first.”
When I opened the box, the princess cautiously peeked inside with one eye, then gasped as her eyes widened.
“W-what is this?”
Inside the red velvet box was a pair of shoes Diana had made at the academy. The entire surface was covered in glittering powder, making the shoes dazzle brilliantly under the light of the chandelier.
The princess’s sapphire-blue eyes sparkled so brightly they looked like they might pop out of her head.
“These are shoes Lady Lawrence made while attending the Biblios Academy. The design is so elaborate and unique, and they would pair perfectly with Madame Jed’s dress.”
I had anticipated the princess wouldn’t be easily convinced. That’s why, before coming to the palace, I had hurriedly contacted Diana and received a pair of shoes via magical delivery. As it turned out, the shoes were exactly to the princess’s taste.
The princess, who had just moments ago been vehemently shaking her head with her eyes squeezed shut, was now holding the shoes with her mouth agape, turning them over to inspect them from every angle.
“This… This was made by Diana Lawrence?”
“Yes. Isn’t the way the entire shoe sparkles just gorgeous? She even intentionally darkened the soles, and the embellishments on the body aren’t gemstones but mother-of-pearl.”
“Mother-of-pearl…?”
The princess’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“See, Your Highness? There aren’t many people in the capital with the skill to make shoes as magnificent as these.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
The princess hesitated, setting the shoes down and glancing around uncertainly. She chewed her lip, unable to give a definitive answer, clearly torn.
I blinked quickly, adopting an innocent expression.
“Your Highness, don’t you trust me? I promise it’s worth it. This is your one and only inauguration. If you miss out on such stunning shoes…”
“Ugh.”
At last, the princess clenched her fists and shut her eyes tightly.
“Fine! Since it’s the Grand Duchess’s wish, I’ll think about it…!”
Having essentially secured her agreement, I smiled in triumph.
Everything is going according to plan.
❖ ❖ ❖
After much persistent persuasion, the princess finally threw in the towel and agreed to consider my request. Knowing her personality, she would undoubtedly reach out within a week.
Perfect. Things are progressing smoothly.
With a satisfied smile, I left the Emerald Palace.
Waiting for me outside was a knight, who bowed politely before following closely behind me.
“To the carriage.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
He was a personal guard assigned to me by Ian and had not left my side even for a moment while I was outside the Grand Duke’s residence.
As I made my way to the carriage with the knight in tow, someone suddenly stepped in my path.
Startled by the unexpected figure, I looked up, and my expression immediately hardened.
It was a face I knew all too well.
“…Duke Hayden Rogers.”
“Greetings to Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
He greeted me with his usual serene smile, bowing politely, before raising his gaze.
His dark green eyes glinted with a sinister light.
“I believe we have matters to discuss.”
• • •
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